Atlantic Records hit a
home run with Intimacy, the latest record
from Bloc Party. Their music is wildly engaging and,
just downright fun. The first time I tossed the
record into the deck the sounds of "Ares" (the
introductory track) conjured images of an action
sequence in a Guy Ritchie film (Snatch and
Rocknrolla for examples). The chorus is a unique
blend of pounding drums, screams, and whirling
siren-like sonics. Hence the lyrics "we dance to the
sounds of sirens”. This may sound like a chaotic
mix, but there is a seeming method to their madness.
The bands command of their chosen sounds and the way
in which they orchestrate everything works, making
this collision of noise a splendid musical journey.
The towering vocals and guitars on "Halo”; the most
popular single here in the Bay Area, are infectious.

This song would make for
a great party playlist, as would the rest of the
album. Kele Okereke (lead vocalist) also showcases
his ability to sing softly and controlled on "Biko”;
the album's ballad. While the song is slow and
melancholy, the sound remains futuristic via
electro-style pads and drum machine-like stabs
(please excuse the rhyme here, completely
unintentional). The bells and bleeps on the opening
of "Signs" play like a modern-day interpretation of
classic Pink Floyd, and there are other sounds
throughout the album that possess that same quality.
"Zephyrus" combines hard-hitting drum-n-bass
percussion with soaring choral arrangements. Think
the Chemical Brothers meets Dead Can Dance. The real
magic of Intimacy however, lies within its
many themes. The sound encompasses varying musical
trends without sounding forced or intentionally
"modern.”

While it is unfortunate
that one can imagine these songs peddling a new car
on television, or even advancements in Dyson's art
of vacuum technology, that only solidifies their
connection to the present. That is not to say that
the music is overly commercial, rather it mirrors
the many sounds inundating our senses every day.
However, Bloc Party does this in a way that makes
these sounds not only listenable, but damn
enjoyable. Fortunately, their care and attention to
detail was not lost on the actual production quality
of the CD. There is depth and a real sense of
dimension throughout the many cuts on Intimacy.
The bass is present and articulate, but not
over-powering (I mention this problem often I know).
The greatest sonic attribute of this album lies in
the upper midrange. These sounds (electronic, and
the fusion of organic and synthetic) can come off as
tinny or a bit piercing at times. The engineers
seemingly knew this, as they mixed and mastered the
record in a way that allows for coherency in most of
the sounds. They translate well, without sparking
listener fatigue. These tracks might also make for
great ringtones, but clearly this was not their aim
(or at least I hope not). Bloc Party's sound
captures the present and paints a picture of the
future. This is the music of the non-stop, always
plugged in generation, done with a level of
integrity and taste. More bands should choose to
craft their songs with such care and precision.
Bravo!